Chicago Blackhawks lose to Florida Panthers 4-3

Lose opener in shootout

October 04, 2009|By Steve Gorten, Tribune newspapers

HELSINKI — It was the perfect ending for the Finnish fans, and their hockey hero. There was Panthers' defenseman Ville Koistinen, scoring a tying goal in the third period and then the winning goal in the shootout to make the first NHL regular season game in Finland a memorable one.

The Panthers beat the Blackhawks 4-3 Friday night at Hartwall Arena, prevailing when goalie Tomas Vokoun blocked Patrick Sharp's shot with his left leg after Koistinen beat Cristobal Huet top shelf. Koistinen glided back toward the bench with his arm stretched out toward the roaring fans.

"This game was unbelievable. First of all to play here in Finland, then to score a goal and score a game winner," said Koistinen, who was moved to forward for Friday's game.

"This is more than a dream right now."

It was hard for the Blackhawks to believe the game even reached a shootout. And that Vokoun, after stopping 40 shots in the second and third periods combined, would spurn Patrick Kane and Sharp in the shootout.

The Blackhawks finished with 55 shots and led twice in the third period but picked up just one point in the standings. The teams will play again Saturday.

"That was one of our strengths last year. That we were able to close teams out and find a way to win," Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said. "This leaves a sour taste."

After being outplayed in a scoreless first period, the Blackhawks controlled the puck and peppered Vokoun with shots. Panthers' coach Peter DeBoer attributed some of that to three of his top six defensemen suffering from the flu and wearing down.

The Hawks led 2-1 early in the third after Dustin Byfuglien shot in a rebound into an empty net. But Koistinen drilled in a long shot with both teams down a man. Sharp stuck in a loose puck just outside the crease at 11:36 and the Blackhawks appeared safe.

That was until David Booth stole the puck in the Blackhawks' zone and fired in a shot with 2:21 left.

"Unfortunately we let them creep back into the game and hang around," center Jonathan Toews said.

The real stunner came in the shootout.

The Panthers were just 3-8 in shootouts last season -- and lost in a shootout in an exhibition game Monday.